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“He did, but I was never really able to catch on, other than a couple words here and there. I don’t know, I just don’t have a great ear for languages. But I absolutely appreciate Greek culture, and I can make gyros, tzatziki dip and a lot of other yummy Mediterranean dishes. Andreas would pretty much only eat the food of his homeland,” she adds in a rueful tone. “So I kind of had to learn.”
I chuckle.
“Sounds like a character.”
She giggles.
“Yeah, Andreas is, but my adoptive father is great. He’s always taken good care of me, and my childhood was happy. I mean, we lived in a trailer, so it wasn’t like I grew up in the lap of luxury. But Andreas is a steady guy, and I never wanted for anything.”
I nod.
“Good,” is my reply. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Of course,” Petunia continues, looking at a faraway place for a moment. “Ihaveworried about my dad in the past because he just misses Greece so much. I guess we never went back to the old country because one, we can’t afford an international flight. But also because of me, I think,” she says. “Andreas knows my home is here, and never wanted to uproot us while I was growing up. He could go now, of course,” she adds. “But for some reason he hasn’t. Old habits die hard, I suppose, and Andreas still lives in the same trailer I grew up in, believe it or not.”
I nod.
“No, I totally get it. Warren Buffet still lives in a house he bought three decades ago, although he could obviously afford something nicer.”
Petunia nods.
“Still, I wonder about my dad sometimes because he seems lonely. Of course, Andreas has had girlfriends over the years, but none of them ever stuck. Who knows? I shouldn’t look too deep into my dad’s romantic life because it might just gross me out,” she says in a wry tone.
I nod and grin.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it would,” I agree. “Still, Andreas sounds like a devoted father, and that’s what counts.”
Petunia nods.
“I agree,” she says in a soft voice. “Totally.” Then she shoots me a curious look. “Have you ever wanted to be a father, Nico?”
My stomach contracts a bit because the fact is that I’ve never wanted to be dad in my life before. But being with Petunia has changed my world view, and lately, I’ve been having visions of the curvy girl growing big with my child in her belly. She would be a perfect mother: loving, nurturing, and a wonderful role model for our kids.
But what am I thinking? Petunia’s a hostess that I met at a sex club, and not only that, but there are secrets about my past that have yet to be revealed. As a result, I merely shake my head noncommittally.
“Never really thought about it,” I say in a casual tone. “Why, have you thought about being a mother?”
Unbidden, her hand slips to her belly, caressing the softness there.
“I have,” she breathes before looking up at me with wonder in those big brown eyes. “It would be amazing, don’t you think? A baby to dote on and to love.”
My chest tightens because suddenly, I know I want Petunia to get pregnant withmybaby. But with so much hanging in the balance, how can I tell her the truth? I suppose my past has to come out sooner or later, but a pit forms in my stomach at the knowledge because the revelation isn’t going to be pretty, and I dread the day that it happens.
8
PETUNIA
One week later.
I’m visiting Lark at her new digs as she whines about her parents.
“OMG, the ‘rents suck so much. They want me to go to college instead of working at Sanctum. I mean, can you imagine it? Me, at Manhattan Community College with a backpack and a laptop? I think not.”
I cluck my tongue.
“Well, it kind of makes sense, Larky. We’re not the academic type, but our parents still want best for us. But I’m surprised that you even told them about what you do.”
Lark merely continues to paint her nails a ravishing shade of ruby.
